MIDDLEBURY — Ric Wheeler, 73, of Middlebury, passed away peacefully on the morning of November 1st. He was the youngest son of local bandleader/musician Howard Wheeler and M. Virginia Wheeler (George) of Poultney.

Ric’s hobbies were too numerous to name, but at the top of the list was golf and gambling (and specifically: gambling on golf). An accomplished  musician, he graduated from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, served in the Army National Guard band, and began his career as a music teacher in Vergennes High School in the early ‘70s. From there, his wide career spanned everything from racing stock cars in NASCAR North to owning the popular Champlain Farms convenience store in Middlebury in the 1990s.

A successful small business owner and Realtor, Ric later developed a passion for helping the emotionally disturbed and developmentally delayed enter the workforce as a part of the Counseling Service of Addison County (CSAC).

He is predeceased by his older brother, George Wheeler, and is survived by his his wife, Barbara Hammerlind, his son Austin Wheeler, stepsons Casey and Erick Costello, stepdaughter Emma Costello, and perhaps most importantly, his two goldens Ginger and Rose.

Services will be held this Saturday, Nov. 6, at 11 a.m., at Grace Baptist Church, 52 Merchants Row, Middlebury. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to his department of CSAC, by selecting “Employment Services” from the “please direct my gift to” menu at csac-vt.org/careers/donate-now.html.◊